Hurst Green Station, Hurst Green Halt (Closed), Hurst Green Junction and Limpsfield Tunnel
Subsequently a junction was created south of Hurst Green (then a simple railway halt taking a maximum of two carriages),
and a line was constructed from the Hurst Green junction south through Edenbridge (called Edenbridge Town from 1 May 1896), Hever, Cowden and Ashurst
to join with the existing line from East Grinstead through Withyham to Tunbridge Wells. This line opened to passengers on 1 October 1888
and is covered in the Uckfield line collection.
Separate collections cover (a) Oxted Station and Oxted Viaduct;
(b) Hurst Green Station, Hurst Green Halt (Closed),
Hurst Green Junction and Limpsfield Tunnel;
(c) Crowhurst Junction and Crowhurst Brick and Tile Works sidings (both closed);
(d) Lingfield Station;
(e) Dormans Station and Cooks Pond Viaduct; and
(f) East Grinstead Station and St Margarets Junction.
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Hurst Green station building, together with the forecourt on the western side, pictured on 14.02.1981. Litter covers the grass bank and the station chimney is smoking gently. Brick and concrete were the main construction materials when the station was built in 1960/1961, and it is unlikely to win any architectural awards. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
The main entrance to Hurst Green Station, which is on the western side of the station and gives level access to the northbound platform. The building is of brick construction, and was looking reasonably smart having just been painted in "Southern" colours. 14.09.2008
Hurst Green Station building looking south. The grey cabinets are cycle lockers, which is a good idea for security, but they don't enhance what is already a very drab station building. On the extreme left is the "out of hours" entrance for when the building is locked, but it's presence at the far end of the forecourt is not very obvious to strangers. 31.05.2021 20910
On the eastern side of the station there is a simple level access to the southbound platform. 14.09.2008
The platform side of the northbound building at Hurst Green Station, looking north. The current station, which will take 12 coaches, was opened on 12 June 1961 following extensive post-war housing development in the area. The former two coach Halt south of the road bridge was then closed and demolished. 18.05.2008
A second view of the northbound station building from platform level. The building was locked, access to the platform being provided by a side gate. There is not exactly a queue of passengers on a Sunday. 18.05.2008
The reverse of the previous view, looking south towards the northbound platform in 2008. Beyond the station an unusually tall radio mast provided Cab Secure Radio and National Railway Network communications. 18.05.2008
The small enclosed platform shelter on the southbound platform at Hurst Green, pictured on 14.02.1981. The exit from the platform had been blocked by temporary barriers, but the reason is not immediately obvious. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
By 2008 accommodation on the southbound platform had become less generous, with the glass doors removed, leaving a simple brick built open shelter with one metal seat. Not ideal for chilly weather, especially since this is a potential interchange point between Uckfield and East Grinstead services. 18.05.2008
Clearly the reduction in facilities was not welcomed, as, by 2021, the doors and windows had reappeared on the shelter. A ticket machine also stands adjacent to the eastern entrance, leaving no excuse for "just hopping on" southbound services. Hurst Green Station 31.05.2021 20906
In 2008, Turbostar 171730 arrives on a Sunday service from Oxted to Uckfield. On Sundays Uckfield line trains used the bay platform at Oxted and did not venture into London. Two cars apparently sufficed. 18.05.2008
Turbostar 171730 departs south en route to Uckfield having deposited three passengers. 18.05.2008
Engineering works just south of the current Hurst Green Station on Sunday 05.04.1970. The locomotive is D6561, in green livery, and it did not survive into preservation. The train is stopped on the site of the former Hurst Green Halt, and the plant in operation and the piles of ballast have probably further erased any trace of the original station. In the distance the signal box is sited at the junction between the Uckfield line and East Grinstead line. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
A nice period photo catches engineering works in progress at Hurst Green on Sunday 19.04.1970. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
A second shot of the engineering works in progress at Hurst Green on Sunday 19.04.1970. The locomotive is 6572, in blue livery. It would now be called a Class 33. It did not survive into preservation, but (among others) D6570, D6571 and D6575 did. D6570 is now based just down the line at the Bluebell Railway. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
Signal OD21 controls departures south. The route indicator has been moved to the side of the signal presumably to facilitate sighting. Old pictures of the station show it formerly on the top of the signal. 18.05.2008
Looking south from the road bridge, with the site of the former Hurst Green Halt directly below and the junction beyond. Points provide a facility for trains to reverse here. When the Halt was open two unusually tall southbound starting semaphore signals for the junction stood about where the 70mph speed restriction sign is located. They were more than double the height of the two storey signal box that was located at the junction, and required because of the difficult sighting caused by the road bridge to the north. 18.05.2008
On the eastern side of the road bridge a footpath leads south, and many years ago was also the access point to the southbound platform of Hurst Green Halt. There is no trace of the northbound access to the Halt, the area being covered in undergrowth. 14.09.2008
Looking down from the footpath in the previous picture, this rubbish strewn area was the site of the former stairs to the Halt. Someone has thoughtfully thrown a cone over the fence to mark the spot.... 14.09.2008
Looking south through the road bridge the site of the former Hurst Green Halt is marked by the raised ground on the right. The Halt was of wooden construction, took a maximum of two coaches, and opened on 1 June 1907. 18.05.2008
Another view south through the road bridge shows the site of the southbound platform of the former Hurst Green Halt. The site is less distinct owing to the installation of more modern apparatus cases. Access to the platforms of the Halt was from the road bridge to the south of the current station. 18.05.2008
1306, in blue livery, passes through the site of the former Hurst Green Halt on Saturday 04.10.1969 with the 10:54 service from Oxted to Uckfield. Note the complete absence of conductor rails. The line to East Grinstead was not electrified until 1987. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
1306bluethe10.54UckfieldOxtedHurstGreenJunctionSat.4.10.1969
Viewed from the signal box, 1302, in blue livery, passes through Hurst Green Junction on Saturday 04.10.1969 with the 10:10 service from Uckfield to Oxted. The footbridge has an array of rail enthusiasts, but they appear more interested in the East Grinstead line. Perhaps they knew something we don't... Eric Kemp retains all right to this image.
1302blueHurstGreenJunctionwiththe10.10UckfieldOxtedSat.4.10.1969
1317, now preserved on the Spa Valley Railway, about to negotiate Hurst Green Junction with a train from Uckfield on Saturday 09.06.1973. New track and ballast appears to have been laid on the Up line, and PWay have yet to remove their tools. A road bridge is in the distance (Holland Lane) and those with sharp eyes will see a lower quadrant signal against the sky line just on the far side of the bridge. This is the Up Home signal for the junction. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
The lower quadrant Up Home signal that controlled northbound access to Hurst Green Junction from the Uckfield Line, and which was sited just south of the road bridge at Holland Lane. It can be seen in the distance in the previous image. 19.04.1970. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
LowerquadrantHomesignalfromEdenbridgeTownHurstGreen19.04.1970
33201 brings hoppers, borails, and track relaying machinery off the Uckfield line at Hurst Green Junction on Sunday 11.07.1976. Originally numbered D6586, 33201 was the first of a batch of twelve locomotives which were built with narrow bodies, to allow them to work through the narrow tunnels between Tunbridge Wells and Hastings. It is preserved on the Battlefield Line Railway in the same livery as seen here. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
33201bringshoppersborailstrackrelayeretc.offtheUckfieldlineHurstGreenJunctionSun.11.07.1976
Hurst Green Junction, in an image probably taken on Saturday 29.06.1985. 1105 travels north off the Uckfield line carrying a "88" headcode denoting a train bound for Victoria. There is a small gradient post in front of the train, which is about to commence the climb towards the North Downs. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
Hurst Green Junction pictured on Wednesday 18.06.1986 as 1314 travels south to East Grinstead, The train is passing over the points that would have allowed it to turn towards the Uckfield line. The unit is carrying a "66" headcode denoting a Victoria to East Grinstead service. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
Looking south to Hurst Green Junction with a long lens. Turbostar 171730 turns left on to the non-electified line to Uckfield, whilst the line to East Grinstead runs directly south away from the camera. 18.05.2008
A close up view of Hurst Green Junction looking south from the road bridge. 18.05.2008
Hurst Green Junction Signal Box, pictured on 04.10.1969, with 1309 passing on the 10:51 service from East Grinstead to Victoria. The paintwork on the signalman's convenience looks rather better than that on the steps. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image. Just to prove that we have experts on everything on here, including lavatories, I am informed that the new paintwork on the toilet was because the toilet itself was not that old at the time. There was a relief signalman called Ron MacNeil (or McNeil), who was known to the other staff as Mac. He got so fed up with there not being a toilet at the box that he made some rather forceful and graphic comments to his bosses (probably better not repeated here). A suitable convenience was promptly provided, the threatened alternative being to close the box and walk to the station to use their facilities as required.
HurstGreenJcn.SignalBoxwith1309passingthe10.51EastGrinstead4.10.1969
Hurst Green Junction on Saturday 12.04.1969. The driver of the 09:51 service from East Grinstead is being instructed by the Signalman to pass the next signal at danger. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
HurstGreenJunctionSat.12.04.1969.thedriver09.51E.GrinsteadbeinginstructedSignalmanpassnextsignaldanger
Looking north towards the footbridge south of the junction, this is the old Hurst Green Junction Up Home Signal (from Lingfield), pictured on Saturday 12 April 1969. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
